With the missionaries

Today I went to listen to Elder and sister Nelson even when we hadn't been invited to attend. I managed to be outside the door and could hardly hear so this is what I gathered. 

Sister Nelson: (To the missionaries) Remember there are 15 million people praying for you as well as in every single temple many times over each day we pray for you…be like Paul, whatever the Lord wants me to do, I will do…you might ask yourself, How am I going to do this? By speaking by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will guide the way…preach the gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost…we learned about the gospel in the pre-mortal life…Be are covenant keeper people and that is what sets us apart from the rest of the world…find those men and women who want to be covenant people… what it means is that there are things you will never do and things you will always do…we made a promise at baptism that we will always remember Him.. My husband was called to be the President of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles seven months ago and that has opened my eyes of the fact this truly are the last days… If any of you at any time for any reason doubt your faith because of some apostate blogger email me immediately I will email you back and tell you, this is the Lord’s Church!

Elder Nelson:

(He had the missionaries stand to know where they came from, Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, North, South and Central America etc.)

Next he opened the mic for questions??? Missionaries could ask any question they wanted.  One asked: How do I know what doctrine to teach?

He answered: Whenever there is reference to evil there is always in plural but there is only one doctrine. The doctrine of Christ, like a diamond and has many facets but those are aspect of one doctrine. Another asked: How can I teach about repentance without offending people? It is found in 2 Nephi repentance is a process not an event. When you repent you make a change for the better and there is always room for improvement because no one is perfect. Another asked: What is the most basic thing I need to teach my investigator? Every one needs to understand the importance of the sacred ordinance of baptism and to partake of the sacrament. The sacrament needs to be so much deeper in your life as well...every missionary is here to bring joy. So have a smile on your faces. You are bringing happiness.

Then he asked the missionaries: What lessons have you learned while on your mission? Answers: “I became more aware of people who are not sealed in the temple but they should be.” “ People love to know about their ancestors and the family Historian is your best friend” Elder Nelson: Do you know the names of your great- grandfathers and great-grandmothers? That History consultant will help you!

Missionary work is hard work! Hindu missionaries are virtually all from India. Sometimes you wonder if you should be on a mission? Moses had his doubts too. The ratio of members of covenant people is the same today as it was in ancient times…miracles take place among those few… Sarah was 90 years old… A Virgin gave birth to a child… Parting of the Red Sea…Joshua coming back to the promised land… Joseph Smith was only 14 years old…The Book of Mormon translation… life is hard when you are outnumbered. D & C 101 when you have a hard day. Just think of Joseph Smith feeling that way every day. This is a time to prove to yourself you can do hard things and you are never alone. Good news for you the more you can understand your patriarchal blessing read this blessing often. D &C 87:8 you are related to Israel. You were the ones chosen from the beginning before you were born.

At the end he gave the missionaries an apostolic blessing in it he mentioned: Be devoted disciples…feed upon his words… safety on your travels with health and strength… enjoy the blessings of the temple… God lives He is the Christ, this is His Church and Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet I express my gratitude for each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

A day to remember

Today Tuesday February 16th 2016, we had the devotional at the office with Elder Nelson. It was an amazing meeting. Daniel conducted the meeting presided by Elder Nelson.  The area office choir sung " I Feel My Savior's Love." and call to Serve. It was o beautiful!

There were 4 speakers: Elder Haynie who told a story of a squirrel who gets attacked and killed by a wild animal. He said just like the evil creeping up on the good. The role of an Apostle is to warn us!

Elder Bowen: Spoke of the time he went to BYU and how he signed an honor code to attend there. The same way the employees who work for the Church are required to sign an honor code as well by keeping a temple recommend. Like the time he went to BYU we are bound to live those standards. There are other schools kids can attend that don't require an honor code but he wanted to attend BYU. Once we commit ourselves do that we are bound to live that standard. Have the character and integrity to keep the vows we make today.

Elder Arderm: From Article of Faith be believe in the same organization that had existed from the beginning Christ called 12 Apostles to follow him and he would make fishermen of men. Today we have a Peter among us. The apostasy came about. We had the restoration of the priesthood. And later men were ordained to the quorum of the Twelve Apostle as the highest office of the Melchisedec priesthood as special witnesses of Christ. They are called traveling high counsels. Elder Nelson has traveled many thousands of miles to be here today so give heed to the words of our Apostle. D & C " If my people listen to an Apostle, they will not be moved. Elder Nelson is Peter. If we heed to his words, we will not be moved.

Elder Nelson: His talk was about tithing. "Years ago, I was given an assignment to take care of Europe when some of those countries were communists where the Church had not been established there. I also was asked to go to Argentina when it was broke to teach to a cashless society the law of tithing. We didn't give them bread but taught them how to make bread. The crisis lasted for a few years but soon they were blessed. Then I got the assignment in Africa. People there were dressed in  white but without shoes. I was not there when the declaration was made about all worthy males could hold the priesthood but I know President Monson was there as a witness. You help those in need. Africa has had poverty one generation after another until  was tithing came along. We had people paying their tithing in Africa and then they prosper. In the Philippines is the same thing. Just remember that the purpose in the Philippines is to blessed their lives."

At the very end, he closed the meeting by saying: I want to tell you about Daniel Almeida...I love this man...everywhere I go, he is there...he is the best...at times I might even see him in our ward,,," And that is how he ended his talk. I felt very touched and very emotional when he spoke so fondly of Daniel. He considers Daniel a friend. Isn't that wonderful that The President of the quorum of twelve Apostles took the time to acknowledge my husband. So this is one of those days I will always remember!

Missing the grandkids

I have come to an age when I have thought about what do I want to be remembered for. What legacy do I want to leave behind  to my children and grandchildren. I think of each one of those precious grandchildren: Sariah, Layna, Daniel, Joseph, Charlotte, Graeme, Nixon,Beckett, Asher, Chris, Oliver, Owen, Tiago, Ruby and Norah. Fifteen and counting...

Basically what I want them to know is that long ago, I chose to have faith and to believe when I was their age. And now I simply renew my commitments of those covenants I have made over the years. I  practice what I successfully translate from the scriptures and those gospel principles into my personal life.  My behavior at home is congruent with my behavior outside in public or at Church. What you see is what you get. I want to be trustworthy and someone the Lord can count on. I want to live my life so my children and grandchildren would be proud.